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21 Sep 2012

New Seat Leon - photos and specs

Hot on the heels of the new Golf, Seat brings us the latest iteration of the Leon. Available initially as a five door hatchback with a three door coupe and estate to follow.

Other details are scant. Seat boasts of a version that will achieve 74.3mpg and 99g/km of CO2 and therefore qualifies for zero Vehicle Excise Duty. Sadly we don't know the 0-60 of that model yet but we do know the 1.8 TSI version will have 180bhp and the diesel version will have 150bhp whilst doing 70mpg.

The new Leon is 90kg lighter than it's predecessor. Sportier models will have SEAT Drive Profile which allows the driver to alter the steering, throttle and gearing (with a DSG gearbox) to suit their whim. In Sport mode the dials turn fro white to red!

The Leon will be available to order from February 2012 and first deliveries will take place a month later.

It is nice to see a car with some design flair, following the dronesome Auris which Toyota pushed out onto an unsuspecting world recently. Seat are moving the Leon away from it's cousin, the Golf, even though they are both based on the same platform. The Leon is the slightly naughtier member of the family and has always had a slightly less staid appearance - although the Golf's looks tend to mellow with time whereas older Leon's can look dated. We don't think that will be the case with this version.